Dirk News

Dirk Nowitzki-themed biergarten to open at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

A bar dedicated to Dirk Nowitzki.

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A one-of-a-kind eating-and-drinking option with celebrity cachet is landing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: Called Nowitzki Restaurant, it's a culinary collaboration between Dirk Nowitzki, former player and special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks, and D&B Mitchell Group, a Dallas hospitality company known for its portfolio of dining concepts located in non-traditional settings.

The restaurant will be at Terminal C where it will feature a full bar with beer, wine, and snacks.

According to a spokesperson from DFW Airport, it'll open in summer 2023.

"This has been in the works for a few years," says a D&B Mitchell Group spokesperson. "Our company founders Derek Missimo and Don Mitchell met Dirk and shared their idea of creating a restaurant around him and his brand. He liked the idea."

They reached out to local airports including DFW, who loved the concept of a kiosk inspired by one of Dallas' most beloved sports figures and local celebrities.

"He is an ambassador for Dallas," the D&B spokesperson says.

Nowitzki is also no stranger to the craft beer world, even inspiring a beer called "The Big German," a kolsch made by Rollertown Beerworks, the Celina brewery from Ben Rogers and Jeff "Skin" Wade, famous for "The Ben and Skin Show" radio show they've hosted for nearly two decades.

D&B says they'll have The Big German on tap, along with four to five other beers on tap and some in bottles, plus mixed drinks, wine, and a few snacks that pair well including charcuterie boards and soft pretzels.

Founded in 2004, the D&B Mitchell Group owns and operates restaurant brands at airports throughout the U.S. including DFW Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, such as Banh Shop and International House of Pancakes.

The restaurant will boast Nowitzki-inspired decor, including Dirk-themed photos and memorabilia, plus TVs with the capability to play highlight videos of Nowitzki from his career.

There may also be merchandise available such as T-shirts, beer steins, and other mementos.

Mobile ordering will be available so that items can be shipped directly to a passenger's home if they don’t want to carry it with them on their flights.

craft-beer transportation

Red letter opening

Dallas bar veterans open Italian speakeasy-restaurant in Denton

Photo courtesy of Red: Italian

Exposed stone walls and a backlit glowing bar anchor the subterranean space at Red: Italian.

A new speakeasy lounge serving high-end Italian food has arrived at a cool historic building in Denton. Called Red: Italian, the subterranean restaurant opened in the basement of Ruby Rodeo, a bar and live music venue located at 122 N. Locust St. on Denton Square.

The concept comes from Victor García and Mike Church. García spent years at Truth & Alibi — the popular speakeasy lounge disguised behind the faux storefront of the Deep Ellum Candy Company — before acquiring the same space for Scarlett Lounge and Kitchen in Deep Ellum in 2024. Church, a commercial pilot, trained at The Culinary School in Fort Worth and the Ritz-Carlton to refine his passion for cooking.

The business partners say they fell in love with the historic nature of the 1877 building in Denton, which housed Andy’s Bar for 30 years.

“We have always loved the building — it is the oldest building on the square. We saw the vision and loved the aesthetics for both our Ruby Rodeo and Red: Italian concepts,” Church says.

After opening Ruby Rodeo, the duo launched Red: Italian this month. Church notes that the "red" naming convention across their concepts — Scarlett, Ruby, and now Red — nods to his favorite color, a symbol of passion, and the red wines and tomato sauces central to Italian dining.

Church’s passion for Italian cuisine defined the menu, which he created alongside executive chef Denise Gabrielle, his former culinary school instructor. Gabrielle brings decades of hospitality experience from the Westin Hotels, The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, and most recently, The Taste Project in Fort Worth and Arlington.

The 58-seat underground space — which includes 10 seats at the bar — serves elevated Italian classics. Entrees range from $25 to $40, with menu highlights including:

Spicy sausage lasagna with arrabbiata sauce
Cacio e pepe bucatini
Chicken piccata
Braised lamb leg
Mediterranean Sea bass
Shrimp diablo
Espresso-crusted filet mignon with Italian seasoning

Appetizers are priced under $15 and include house-made fried mozzarella, stuffed mushrooms, grilled artichokes, bruschetta, meatballs, and flatbreads. The kitchen also serves salads, featuring a classic Caesar and a house chopped salad with nine toppings.

Shrimp diablo served over pasta with toasted slices of bread at Red: Italian.Photo courtesy of Red: Italian

Desserts feature house-made panna cotta, ricotta-amaretto Italian cheesecake topped with drunken cherry sauce, and a table-side bananas Foster served with house-made amaretto gelato.

The bar program leans into Italian flavors with options like an Italian margarita made with house limoncello, tequila, amaretto, and simple syrup, alongside a peach Bellini and a smoky Godfather. The wine list spotlights Italian bottles and a selection of Napa Valley options.

“The place has the perfect intimate, upscale, fun Italian wine and food ambience,” Church says.

While entering Red doesn't require a password, it still has an off-the-beaten-path entry that is characteristic of speakeasies. Social media posts direct patrons to "look for the red awning" adjacent to Ruby Rodeo’s black awning. A set of red stairs leads guests downstairs to a door with a small sign reading "Red:".

To preserve the speakeasy atmosphere, cell phone use is discouraged. The space also features subtle Easter eggs for guests to discover, such as conversation starters tucked beneath the napkins.

Following a sold-out opening weekend, Red: Italian is now open, with an official ribbon cutting planned for September (exact date to be announced).

Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 5-10 pm, with last seating at 9 pm to wrap up dinner service before Ruby Rodeo’s live music starts upstairs at 10:30 pm.

speakeasy italian restaurant denton